Notes from Pirates-Phillies

By JOHN LEMBO
jlembo@bradenton.com
BRADENTON – What did Ryan Howard’s home run sound like to Ian Snell?
“I thought it was like World War III or something,” Snell said. “It was a loud crack.”
The Pirates righty surrendered a monster home run to the Phillies first baseman Saturday during the Pirates’ 10-4 win at McKechnie Field. The blast, Howard’s eighth of the spring, went over the green batter’s eye in dead center field. The green wall stands nearly 20 feet passed the 400-foot sign.
“I think the wind helped it, too, but it still went far,” Snell said. “It probably hit somebody’s car back there.”
It was the lone blemish of the day for Snell, who limited the defending world champions to a run on two hits in six innings. He walked three and struck out five against a lineup that included Phillie regulars such as Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino.
“I felt good,” Snell said. “More relaxed than my last time.”
Snell gave up six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Reds last week in his first start with the Pirates since returning from the World Baseball Classic.
He also said the blister on his right foot, which cut his last outing short, is becoming easier to deal with.
“It’s still red, it still bothers me. I have to wear a pad,” Snell said. “But it’s fine, as long as I have the pad in there.”
MAKING HIS CASE: Star prospect Andrew McCutchen had a banner day Saturday, going 5-for-5 with a home run, three doubles, three runs scored and two RBIs, raising his average to .308.
STRONG ARM: On the same day he made the team as a backup catcher, Jason Jaramillo threw out Jimmy Rollins trying to steal second and picked Marcus Giles off first base.
Jaramillo also drove in a run.
Jaramillo beat out Robinzon Diaz for the spot on the roster. Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Saturday’s game.
BIX IN THE MIX: Brian Bixler, looking to make the team as a reserve middle infielder, went 2-for-4 Saturuday to raise his average to .352 in 24 games this spring.
Bixlerd doubled and scored a run.
JOLTIN JONES: Garrett Jones stroked his fourth home run of the spring Saturday, a three-run shot in the eighth inning off Phillies closer Brad Lidge.
Jones is hitting .306 with four home runs and 11 RBIs with a team-high 16 runs scored in 26 games.